The La Jolla Community Center (LJCC) offers lifelong learning opportunities to La Jolla adults of all ages. This month, the newly revamped center will kick off its membership drive. For two months, every new member will receive a gift certificate for a free cooking class with the Opera Singing Chef and entrance into a drawing for a grand-prize package from Bellini Beauty Bar valued at more than $250.

The community center hopes to increase its membership by 25 percent in the next two months during the drive, and is enlisting the help of current members by offering a prize to the member who refers the highest number of new members during the drive. Annual membership is $100 for individuals and $175 per couple. Applications to become a member are available at the center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. For more information, call Nancy Walters at (858) 459-0831. For a complete list of classes and program offerings, visit www.lj-communitycenter.org.

— Mariko Lamb

Robbery suspect implicated in letter

A suspect in several robberies, including one in La Jolla, has been implicated in the crimes after an anonymous letter naming him responsible turned up at the Alpine sheriff’s station. No one seems to know who left the letter on Feb. 21 implicating David Allen Grub, 43, who was arrested Feb. 28. A declaration by a sheriff’s detective said the letter was either written by Grub or someone familiar with the crimes, as it contained details that had not been made public.

Grub pleaded not guilty to committing three robberies and a burglary in San Diego Superior Court. A preliminary hearing has been set for May 8.

The most violent incident occurred on Aug. 1 when a man accosted a real estate agent at a home in La Jolla. The agent had just finished showing the house to a prospective buyer when a man with a rifle showed up and demanded jewelry and money. As the suspect was leaving, he encountered the homeowner in the driveway and fired two shots at the ground, during which the owner was hit in the face with concrete shrapnel.

The most recent robbery occurred Dec. 20 in a Rancho Santa Fe home in which two men, one of whom is suspected to be Grub, handcuffed a housekeeper and ransacked the home.

The first burglary occurred on May 24 on Loring Street in Pacific Beach when the resident returned home and saw a suspect carrying a drawer from his dresser. The suspect fled in a black car and the victim discovered a large amount of jewelry was stolen. Grub remains in custody on $300,000 bail.

— Neal Putnam

Notes from Bird Rock Community Council, April 2

Past organizers of Beaumont Avenue’s annual Fourth of July parade warned the event may not go on this year if someone new doesn’t step forward to help plan it.

“We need the community’s help. We are passing the torch this year and if we don’t get anybody to step up to help us with it the parade will be canceled,” warned Erica Meyer, who, along with Julie Cockrell, has been in charge of the event for the last seven of its 30-plus years.

The annual celebration began in 1979 as a free neighborhood affair with four families and a few kids on tricycles going down one block. The event has grown into a celebration funded by $20 donations per family and including free food and drinks, children’s activities and a live band.

Jason Milla of the new Chase Bank on La Jolla Boulevard filled BRCC in on details of the facility’s May 7 opening. Milla said the new branch will be “different than some of the other branches we’ve done in the past,” with safe deposit boxes and a different look and feel.

Milla said Bird Rock Chase’s goal is to become involved with the community by participating in the charitable work done by the Bird Rock Foundation, and also with the many community service projects launched by Bird Rock Elementary School.

Bird Rock Elemetary teacher Lorene LaCava reported the school has a brand new “underwater reef” succulent garden which has been installed on the school’s front patio, which was paid for with the remainder of proceeds from Bird Rock cookbook sales.

— Dave Schwab

Burglars get 5 years for stealing Porsches

Two burglars who stole two Porsches, among other items, in La Jolla and University City have been each sentenced to five years in state prison.

Gabriel Pedro Castano, Jr., 30, and George William Moore, 49, were given credit for serving 449 days in jail since their 2012 arrests and fined more than $1,700 by Judge Dwayne Moring, who denied probation. Both men pleaded guilty to burglary, three counts of receiving stolen cars and operating a chop shop.

A 1995 Porsche Carrera was stolen from a La Jolla home on June 12, along with a Picasso painting and a handgun. A 2006 Porsche Cayman was taken in a Feb. 16, 2012 burglary in University City, according to court records.

San Diego police recovered other stolen property when the suspects were arrested in Carmel Valley in July. Moore has prior convictions for burglary and possession of stolen property while Castano has a prior record for burglary and receiving stolen property.

— Neal Putnam

LJ Community Planning Association, April 4

City Council President Pro Tem Sherri Lightner attended the meeting with updates on a few community projects. Among the projects she addressed was the construction on a replacement tower at Children’s Pool beach, which will begin at the end of May with the demolition of the existing tower and construction of the new tower in June. Member Mike Costello expressed concern that the number of bathrooms and showers at the Children’s Pool will decrease with the construction of the new tower.

Lightner also mentioned that the city’s Natural Resources and Culture Committee recently approved her draft recommendations on graywater use, which would allow residents to use untreated wastewater from a home’s washing machine, shower or sink to be recycled on-site for outdoor irrigation.

The Bernate Ticino CEQA appeal hearing will take place on April 30 at 2 p.m. at City Council Chambers, located at 202 C St.

The LJCPA is seeking volunteers for its subcommittees. To express interest in joining a subcommittee, email info@lajollacpa.org or call (858) 456-7900. Appointments will be ratified at the May meeting.